The Lions enter the playoffs coming off their best regular season in franchise history, largely thanks to an explosive and creative offense. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has collected a variety of trick plays throughout his three years in the role, giving him a reputation that has enticed many teams to interview him for their head coach positions.
Detroit had a bye in the wild-card round, giving Johnson an extra week to draw up any new and creative plays he may have in mind. The Lions open their postseason at home against the Commanders on Saturday night.
Ahead of the divisional round, here’s a look at some of the best Lions’ trick plays this season.
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Lions trick plays, explained
The Lions’ no-fear approach on offense is a big reason why they won 15 games this year. Head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson have combined to green-light several creative plays throughout the season, which is part of the reason Detroit finished with the No. 1 scoring offense (33.2 points per game) and No. 2 total offense (409.5 yards per game).
Hook-and-ladder
One of the Lions’ first trick plays of the season came in Week 3 against the Cardinals. Jared Goff completed a short pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who lateraled back to Jahmyr Gibbs. The running back then ran 21 yards for a touchdown, extending Detroit’s lead in the game to 13.
Little hook n ladder shenanigans for the score ?#DETvsAZ | ? FOX pic.twitter.com/EBUcoJeBn5
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 22, 2024
Detroit called this play again in the second-to-last game of the regular season, this time with St. Brown lateraling to Jameson Williams for a touchdown.
THE TRICKY @LIONS! JAMO TOUCHDOWN OFF THE LATERAL!
?: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
?: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bfns6bNZf4— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024
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Running backs and receivers throwing touchdowns
The following week, the Lions were hosting the Seahawks on Monday night and decided to reverse roles on offense. Goff handed the ball off to St. Brown, but instead of running, St. Brown turned around and threw the ball back to Goff, who was open in the end zone for a score.
AMON-RA ST. BROWN TD PASS TO JARED GOFF.
?: #SEAvsDET on ABC
?: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/wuVveVDDHw— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2024
Later in the year, David Montgomery got in on the action with a passing touchdown himself against the Titans, tossing the score to tight end Sam LaPorta.
David Montgomery throws a TD to Sam LaPorta!
?: #TENvsDET on FOX
?: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HGuKPJbBTD— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Flea flicker
One of the oldest trick plays in the book is the flea flicker, and the Lions successfully ran one against the Cowboys. Goff flipped the ball back to David Montgomery, who flipped it to St. Brown, who flipped it back to Goff, who found LaPorta deep down field for the touchdown.
FLEA FLICKER TO LA PORTA! TOUCHDOWN @Lions!
?: #DETvsDAL on FOX
?: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/qrPoPtCmo4— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
Offensive lineman touchdown
Offensive lineman Dan Skipper has become a bit of a folk hero in Detroit, and that continued against the Bills. Goff found Skipper on a play-action bootleg, and the lineman rumbled all the way for the touchdown.
IT’S SKIPPERRRRRRRR‼️#BUFvsDET | ? CBS pic.twitter.com/YWbza83lRb
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 15, 2024
The Lions also tried something even trickier on Thanksgiving, calling what seemed to be a pass by starting tackle Penei Sewell, but Sewell was tackled by the Bears instead.
Penei Sewell tried it ?
?: #CHIvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
?: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/tPb5KRWNCr— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2024
Fake fumble
The most creative Lions’ trick play of the year was called against Chicago in December. Jared Goff pretended to fumble the ball to confuse the defense, instead finding Sam LaPorta wide open in the end zone.
Did Goff hit ’em with the fake stumble?!
?: #DETvsCHI on FOX
?: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/6xDqZ9BFzV— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
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